Lithuania Through the Eyes of U.S. Embassy Officials, Interns, Guests and Friends

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

What's in a name? Lithuanian names may be the most original in Europe.

Without a doubt, Lithuania is a
country that is proud of its heritage. Vilnius boasts the largest Old Town in
Europe, and the area is sprinkled with reminders of the city’s medieval
beginnings. From the last remaining tower of Gedimino Castle to Vilnius Cathedral supposedly built on the site of a pagan temple, symbols of Lithuania’s unique
heritage are always close by—and this is most apparent when one looks at
Lithuanian names.

Lithuanian names are a blend of the
old and the new. Names such as Aleksandras, Monika, and Arturas look familiar
to most foreigners as they are Lithuanianized versions of names found across
multiple cultures. Biblical names, like Jonas, Lukas, and Marija,
have also enjoyed popularity over the centuries into the present day. Some
names have a more general meaning—such as Dalia, meaning “fate” (which happens to
be the name of Lithuania’s current president, Dalia Grybauskaite). Other names
are uniquely Lithuanian. At the beginning of the twentieth century, after
gaining independence from a century of Russian occupation, Lithuania
experienced a revival of names that beckoned to its rich past. These names span
mythology, nature, and history. One very popular name is Vytautas, or Vytas for
short. Vytautas was one of the most famous Grand Dukes in Lithuanian medieval
history, and to this day the name connotes power, strength, and patriotism.

Grand Duke Vytautas. See credits for all images below.

Another
historical name is Gediminas, the knight who founded Vilnius (along with the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania) in the early 14th century. Besides the medieval tower that overlooks the city, and the statue of him and his horse near Cathedral Square, the main avenue of Vilnius also bears his name.

Gedimino Prospekt with Vilnius Cathedral at the end.

Other
names reflect Lithuania’s natural environment; for example, the feminine name Eglė,
which means “spruce” or “pine tree.” The name Gintaras (masculine) or Gintare
(feminine) means “amber”, a naturally occurring stone that is a popular Baltic
souvenir when set in jewelry. The feminine name “Rūta” is also the name of Lithuania’s
national plant.

A rue plant.

This is just a brief overview of the multitude
of names that exist throughout Lithuania. Looking at the meanings of these
names gives a tantalizing glimpse of this country’s heritage—and these names
ensure that that heritage is preserved and passed on through generations.

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